SPAIN absolutely dominated Costa Rica to win 7-0 in their World Cup opener.
The Spanish flew out the blocks with early strikes from Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio.
Ferran Torres then scored a double before a stunning goal from Gavi saw Spain notch five.
Gavi’s goal saw him create history as the youngest World Cup scorer since Pele in 1958, aged 18 years and 110 days.
Subs Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata then hit Spain’s sixth and seventh in the comprehensive victory.
- Result: Spain 7 Costa Rica 0
- Spain XI: Unai, Azpilicueta, Rodri, Laporte, Alba, Busquets, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran, Asensio, Olmo
- Costa Rica XI: Navas, Oviedo, Calvo, Waston, Duarte, Fuller, Bennette, Tejeda, Borges, Campbell, Contreras
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Goodnight from Al Thumama Stadium
That’s all from us here in Doha, but it’s not the end of Wednesday’s action.
Before we draw a line under day four of Qatar 2022, there’s the small matter of Belgium’s opening game against Canada in Group F.
Thanks for joining us, and goodbye.
Teen dream for Barca’s Gavi
The second Barcelona teenager in Spain’s midfield also put in a first class performance as La Roja thrashed Costa Rica.
At 18 years, 110 days old, Gavi became the third youngest goalscorer in World Cup history, and the youngest since a certain Pele notched in the 1958 final.
Next up in Group E
It’s been a record-breaking beginning to Qatar 2022 for one of Europe’s fancied outfits – Spain – but for another in Germany, it has been a horrendous opening day debacle.
The group is back in action on Sunday, and should Japan get the better of crushed Costa Rica and Spain succeed again, then Germany would be eliminated before the final round of games.
- Japan v Costa Rica (10am)
- Spain v Germany (7pm)
Pedri the pass master
Nineteen-year-old Pedri was only on the pitch for 57 minutes but dictated the tempo from the off, showing himself to be instrumental to what was a dominant first half display.
Undoubtedly rested for challenges ahead, the Barcelona teenager continues to prove himself as Spain’s latest superstar.
Spain soar to the top
Luis Enrique’s Spain team turned on the style with a seven-goal showing that has taken them straight to the top of Group E.
La Roja take over first spot from Japan, who got their campaign off to a scintillating start by coming from behind to beat Germany earlier today.
- Germany 1-2 Japan
- Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
Credit: FIFA.com Extra! Read all about it!
Costa Rica didn’t muster a single attempt this evening, but thankfully Dan King has put in more effort.
Our man in Doha has filed his match report of Spain’s seven-goal drubbing of Los Ticos at the Al Thumama Stadium – a result that has left Germany with much to ponder in Group E.
Costa Rica were not capable of doing a Japan and King Felipe VI was in the stands to give royal approval to the destruction of the former Spanish colony.
Dan King
Stats from Al Thumama Stadium
It’s hard to know what is most impressive about Spain’s crushing of Costa Rica.
The fact that they clocked up 17 attempts without conceding a single effort at their own goal? Or even their 82% possession?
Or perhaps it’s their 976 completed passes that WhoScored tell us is more than Iran, Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Poland have managed combined at this World Cup (906).
Full time – Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
When Spain won the World Cup in 2010, they only scored eight goals in the whole tournament – they’ve struck seven in their opening game of Qatar 2022.
La Roja were excellent, but take everything away from Costa Rica: they were awful and didn’t register a single shot on goal.
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica – Campbell yellow card
90+7. Joel Campbell picks up a booking late in injury time for a poor challenge Soler just outside of the area.
Here’s a player desperately trying to get himself suspended for the upcoming defeats to Japan and Germany.
Spain 7-0 Costa Rica
90+3. As the old song almost goes: “7-0 – even Alvaro Morata scored!”
The substitute exchanges some slick passes with Dani Olmo outside the box, and then shifts himself quickly left to belt low into the bottom left corner.
It’s fine play, a lovely finish, but the amount of space that the Spain attackers are gifted is bordering on criminal.
Seventh heaven for Spain!
Spain 6-0 Costa Rica
90+1. We’re into eight minutes of stoppage time.
On the one hand, it seems harsh on Costa Rica. But then their performance has been so pathetic, that they deserve everything they get.
Spain 6-0 Costa Rica
90. Six of the best for Spain!
Keylor Navas built a Real Madrid career on being a safe pair of hands, but he’s been anything but today.
The Costa Rica goalkeeper fails to deal with a low cross driven in from Nico Williams on the right, and the rebound falls invitingly for Carlos Soler to lash in from 12 yards out.
Soler power!
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
88. A bizarre moment as Morata pulls out of the opportunity to challenge Navas for the ball after chasing a killer pass slipped into the area.
I’d say that was 70-30 in favour of the Spain striker before he gave it up.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
86. Inside the final five minutes (plus inexplicable injury time). Will Spain find a sixth? They could easily if they really wanted to.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
84. It’s safe to say that Costa Rica won’t be progressing from Group E, but what must the Germans be thinking now?
They face Spain on Sunday, and could be eliminated if they lose that one too.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
82. We were just treated to a replay of that Gavi goal. It really is an exquisite finish.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
80. Navas and then the offside flag deny Morata from getting himself on the scoresheet.
Even in a brilliant side, the striker has the air of someone constantly haunted by bad luck.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
78. The great thing about Gavi is he is capable of the sublime – as we just witnessed – but also likes to get stuck in like a Lincoln City centre-half.
After a melee caused by Aguilera’s hefty challenge on Laporte, the teenager is straight across to ensure he is front and centre of any squaring up.
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
76. At 18 years and 110 days, Gavi is the youngest goalscorer at a World Cup since Pele in the 1958 final.
Whatever happened to that guy?
Spain 5-0 Costa Rica
74. Outrageous from Gavi!
The 18-year-old makes it five with a gorgeous finish with the outside of his right boot, one that catches Keylor Navas out to clatter in off the post.
Alvaro Morata mights have scored seconds earlier, but found himself denied by the Costa Rica goalkeeper.
However, the substitute kept his cool to retrieve possession, look up, and clip over a cross for the teenager arriving just inside the box.
One sweet, smart volley later, and Spain have five!
Teenage kicks!
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica – Costa Rica substitution
72. Another minute passes, another substitution is made.
It’s Brandon Aguilera on for Celso Borges. At this stage, they may as well have sent on Christina.
Spain 4-0 Costa Rica – Spain substitution
70. The second half has been broken up by a flurry of substitutions – and that probably suits both teams.
While Costa Rica avoid a complete walloping, Spain are taking the opportunity to rest legs and the latest change is an interesting one.
Young Nico Williams is on for his fourth cap, replacing Marco Asensio.
The winger’s brother – Inaki Williams – is also at the World Cup, repressing Ghana. Could they meet in the later stages?
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
